Angels And Demons

The sequel to The Da Vinci Code in film and written form, it again stars Tom Hanks and directed by Ron Howard.  Again the score is by Hans Zimmer (thank god!) and again, from what I've seen so far, it looks great on Blu Ray.  I will say that Code was nearly a bad as I had been lead to believe, and I've heard many say that this is the better movie, rare for a squeal, so I'm not exactly dreading it.  Opting for the theatrical release version, since it's brand new.

Again the cast is filled with well known and/or very talented actors.  Again in addition to Hanks, we have Ewen MacGregor, Stellen Skarsgård, Israeli actress Ayelet Zurer and Italian actor Pierfrancesco Favino as the hard nosed inspector.  I've noticed from the filming locations, that unlike the first film jumping back and forth from France to the UK, this one appears to be solidly set in Italy.  I'm also noticing that there is more solidly a Illuminati affair--which is interesting to me, because the actual secret society in Bavaria had more Protestant connections.  Oh well, everyone loves a good yarn.

Runtime:  136 min (theatrical)

Rated:  PG-13

Languages:  English, Italian, Latin, German, Spanish, French, Swiss German

Release Date:  15 May 2009

Color (2 Arricams, 2 Arriflex, 1 Red One Camera, Cooke Lenses)

DTS

Aspect Ratio:  2.35:1

Tagline:  They have come for their revenge

Trivia:

The film would have be released earlier, but production was halted due to the 2007 writer's strike in Hollywood.

All the historical Vatican filming locations are actually recreated sets, since, of course, the Vatican would never allow the movie production anywhere near the real Holy See grounds.

Naomi Watts was in the running for the role of Vittoria.

Clint Eastwood expressed interest in directing the film.

The reason the extended edition is not that much longer than the theatrical one, is that a little more than 5 minutes were cut out of the film as it was originally intended for wide release, because the footage garned the movie with an R rating.

Leonardo DiCaprio turned down the part of Carmelengo Patrick McKenna, the role that MacGregor later took.

As with a Gargoyle in the previous film, one of the recreated apostles on the set of  St. Peter's Square, one them looks a lot like Ron Howard.

Although officially banned from production of any kind at The Vatican, crew and cast members did visit as tourists taking copious numbers of detailed photographs.

Just for the heck of it, I'm including the ancient symbol for the the Illuminati, the so called "all seeing eye."  It clearly bears Christian symbolism--so not just an organization that worships science.  It has more in common with ancient Freemasons (and stonemasons).  Years ago, while touring a very old castle that had been renovated and was used as a family home in the UK, the owners showed everyone a ancient fireplace that they just couldn't get to stop smoking, eventually they located a stonemason that had possession of ancient stonemason knowledge from medieval Europe, based on his knowledge, he was able to solve the smoking problem.  When they showed off his solution, it turned out to be a special vent that he had carved out in a strategic location....in the shape of a triangle.  It the above symbol seems all too familiar....here's why:

Creepy Cathedral Images and Churches Around The World:

Sedlec Ossuary Prague

Downtown Morelia

Cologne after bombing:  WWII

Sweden

Amiens floor--note:  these are ancient symbols and are found all over the world.

Salt Mine Cathedral, Colombia

One in Poland

Here's the only Catholic Illuminati symbol I could find.  Notice the eye at the top.